Piezoelectric Sensor Arrays for Structural Damage Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately determining and quantifying damage to structures, such as roofs, following loss events like hailstorms or earthquakes, is challenging without manual inspections, leading to inefficiencies in insurance claim processing.
Innovation Solution
Deploying piezoelectric sensor arrays on structures to detect physical forces and convert them into electrical charges, which are then processed to estimate damage, and communicate this data to insurance providers via a network for real-time assessment and claim processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspections are used to determine damage, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary damage detection by installing sensors on structures before loss events occur. These sensors continuously monitor and record structural responses, so when a loss event happens, the damage data is already captured and available for immediate analysis, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-event manual inspections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection systems with automated sensor-based detection systems. Sensors convert physical damage indicators into electrical signals that are processed automatically, substituting human inspectors and manual assessment methods with electronic detection and computational analysis
2Measurement precision
If manual inspections are deployed for damage assessment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-service by automatically detecting, recording, and transmitting damage data without requiring human intervention. The system autonomously monitors structural health, processes sensor signals, and generates damage assessments, eliminating the need for complex manual inspection procedures and highly trained inspectors
3Productivity
If sensor data is collected and processed automatically, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to justify its complexity: it performs damage detection, data recording, signal processing, and communication functions within a single integrated platform. This universal approach allows one complex system to replace multiple simpler systems (sensors, data loggers, communication devices), improving overall productivity while managing complexity through consolidation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, automated damage assessment and claim filing, reducing the need for in-person inspections, lowering costs, and enhancing the efficiency of insurance processing by providing immediate and accurate damage data to insurance providers.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor data corresponding to an electrical charge generated by the at least one sensor in response to a physical force exerted on the portion of the property
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for processing data associated with potential damage to a portion of the property. One or more sensors may be disposed in proximity to the portion of the property, where the one or more sensors are configured to sense physical force applied to the portion. A controller module calculates mechanical force data based on the sensor data and estimates an amount of damage to the portion of the property based on the mechanical force data. In some aspects, an insurance provider can use the estimated amount of damage to perform insurance coverage functionalities, estimate damage to additional properties, maintain a damage history for the property, and notify customers of suggested improvements to the property.